Host and Defending champions drop first match
Andrew Brethauer  November 10th, 2010


The Shamrock Invitational got underway Tuesday afternoon with three games on the schedule, including hosts St. Patrick's taking on the Northern Vikings in the first game. Northern started the game out on the penalty kill after a delay of game penalty, but managed to kill of the minor and eventually take a 1-0 lead with a goal by Clint Schenk from the slot that beat the Irish goaltender. The Vikings would not escape the period without allowing the Irish to tie up the game, as Bradley Columbus would score with 7.1 seconds remaining in the first to tie the game heading into the second.

From there it turned into a battle of goalies and for position in the attack zone, as each team had their chances to move ahead, including some wide open nets that the goalies were able to scramble back into for the saves to keep things all tied up after two periods of play.

This on going battle would continue well into the third period, as both teams tried to pick up the first victory of the tournament. Unfortunately for the hose Irish, the Vikings Jeff Sit would find the back of the net with 2:53 left in the third period to give the Vikings the lead. The Irish would pull their goalie, but were not able to solve the net minder, and the Vikings would take the first win in the tournament 2-1 over host St. Patrick's.

In later match ups, the St. Christopher Cyclones would take on the SCITS Blue Bombers. St. Christopher would jump out to an early lead with a goal by B. Morrison and take a 1-0 lead into the second period. SCITS would tie things up with a power play goal, as Sean Magerman would tip home his first of the tournament to give sending the game into the third all square are one each. St. Christopher's would ultimately get the victory with a goal from C. Savo, and take the match 2-1.

The final game of the day saw defending champions St. Clair take on LCCVI. This would not be the start to the tournament the defending champions would be looking for, as the Colts allowed three goals in the first period to the Lancers. Troy Whitley would score a hat trick for the Lancers, while Ryan Trottier would add two for himself and an assist. Matt Ward, Dan Lumley and Dan Hachey would score for St. Clair as the Colts would lose to the Lancers 6-3.

The tournament continues tomorrow morning starting at 7:30, with championship rounds beginning at 2:50pm.

Disclaimer: Sarniasports would like to apologize if any names are wrong, as our stats come from the score sheets that can be hard to read.